HAIKOU, December 13. /TASS/. A new gecko species dubbed goniurosaurus was discovered in the south Chinese province of Hainan, www.hinews.cn reported. 

Researchers found this gecko in karst areas at an altitude of about 800 meters in the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park. Adult species have a unique dark brown coloring on the back and four black and yellow stripes along the body. The unique species were given the name Goniurosaurus sinensis after a long research process, the authorities confirmed. 

In 1897-1908 only two new gecko species were discovered in this group. Goniurosaurus sinensis became the first new species descovered in 111 years of research. New species, the news outlet writes, can help in validating the importance of Hainan's natural resources and the promotion of its flora and fauna. 

The park's creation project was launched in January 2019 to preserve and restore local ecosystem, as well as reach a balance in social and economic development of the surrounding territories. Soon the park is expected to occupy an area of ​​about 4,300 square kilometers, about one seventh of the entire territory of the Hainan Island. It has become a home to more than 200 rare and endangered species.

Hainan authorities expect that the creation of the National Rainforest Park will draw a great number of both Chinese and foreign tourists to the island. According to official statistics, Hainan's total rainforest area in 2018 exceeded 659,000 ha. Since the 1990s, authorities have completely banned logging on the island, which allowed to create large natural reserves protected by the government.